Federal Appeals Court Reviews Idaho Abortion Ban in Medical Emergencies

The case examines whether Idaho's abortion restrictions conflict with federal law requiring emergency medical care in life-threatening situations.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing arguments on Idaho's abortion ban, which only permits abortions to prevent a patient’s death, not to protect their health.
The Biden administration argues the ban violates the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which mandates emergency care, including abortions to address severe health risks.
Idaho contends that EMTALA protects the fetus as a patient and does not require doctors to perform abortions in violation of state law.
St. Luke’s Health System, Idaho’s largest hospital network, reports a rise in emergency medical transfers out of state due to the abortion ban, citing cases of severe complications like preeclampsia.
A ruling against Idaho could create a circuit split, increasing the likelihood of the U.S. Supreme Court revisiting the case, which it previously declined to resolve on procedural grounds.